The Flowers and Leaves of the Posy which decorates the Wild Flowers Mason Jar Cosy are made from a 1927 design I found in an Australian newspaper. You can make it in any #4 Worsted Weight yarn–I used wool for the cosy in soft natural-dyed colours and Bernat Handicrafter cotton in the blue/purple/white. I used a 5mm hook for the cosy and a 4mm hook for the flowers and leaves. You can make it with a short handle or a long one so you can carry your drink hands-free by putting it over your head or shoulder.

Very quick to make! The flowers and leaves can be sewn on or you can make them removable, as I did.

To celebrate Earth Day I designed a little crochet coaster that uses up small odds and ends of #4 worsted weight yarn left over from other projects. I used 100% wool that I had dyed using wild flowers and plants, barks, and spices. Each coaster can be made with about 25 to 30 yards of yarn–the most any one row uses is about 4 yards. You will also need a wide mouth mason canning jar lid to insert between the two halves.

Free for the first 24 hours, expiring on 23 April at midnight Pacific Time, you can use the coupon code:

wildflower

on Ravelry right here: Wild Flowers Coaster. When the promotion is over, the pattern is just $.95 Canadian to help me cover expenses.

There will be another Wild Flowers pattern published tomorrow night, and it will also be free for 1 day only 🙂 Watch here on the blog, or on the Facebook page for the notice and coupon code.

These are close-fitting toques that will keep you warm while you do your chores, go sleigh riding, or enjoy a walk in the woods. A hole in the top accommodates your bun (messy or neat) or ponytail. There are variations to make a regular toque or one for a low ponytail–and a BONUS pattern for a headband, too!

They feature my variation on a stitch pattern I found in The Prairie Farmer Weekly Journal from 1886. It is easy to do, and creates a reversible fabric that looks knit on one side and has a pebbled, honeycomb-like texture on the “right side.”

The Messy Bun Toques are very quick to crochet, as they use #6 Super Bulky yarn and a 10mm hook (plus a 7mm hook for 2 rounds). I used Bernat Softee Chunky yarn, readily available, soft, easy care, and hypoallergenic 100% acrylic.

Watch tomorrow for the next pattern in The Prairie Farmers Winter Gifts series…it will be a quick to knit soft stuffed toy re-written from an 1887 design, using #4 medium weight yarn and 3.25mm needles. I used 8 different colours, but only a small amount of each yarn will be needed. You can also use 1 or 2 colours. It took me about 3 hours to complete.

ALL 70+ PATTERNS IN MY RAVELRY STORE ARE ON SALE 50% OFF UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER USING THE COUPON CODE winter AT THE CHECKOUT. Maker sure the discount is applied before you complete the purchase as I am unable to refund for pattern sales.

If you need any help or spot any errors, please contact me on Ravelry or on my Facebook Page.

Over the summer I have been working of a series of Afghan Squares which have flowers at the centre and are based on Victorian era stitch patterns, ‘antimacassar’ motifs, etc…so I am calling it the Victorian Flowers Afghan. Instead of waiting until it is complete and offering an extra Bonus design, I decided to offer the Bonus to start with! Not only that, but this square includes instructions to turn it into a handy Project Bag…or shopping bag, or gift bag, or any other useful purpose. You can use the instructions to turn any afghan squares into a bag.

NOTE: Beginning Part 2 Round 6, ch1 then begin the round; at the end of the round, join with a slip stitch to the first sc. Rounds 7, 8 & 9, please CHAIN 3 AS THE FIRST DOUBLE CROCHET; at the end of the round, join with a slip stitch into the 3rd chain.

I am using a 5mm hook and aran weight yarns to make my bags: Patons SWS, Red Heart SuperSaver, etc. I do not have a total amount required yet because I am sharing the pattern as I design it.I am estimating 12 to 16 ounces of yarn, but I really can NOT guarantee how much it will take until my bag is finished! Options are to make the bag using more than one colour, as I am doing with the Patons SWS bag that illustrates the Instructions: I worked Part 1 in their Soy Wool Stripes, which has long colour changes; then for Part 2 I switched to Soy Wool Solids, in green. Part 1 used 1 ounce, Part 2 used 2 ounces. Don’t forget, though–for a bag, you have to make 2 squares plus bottom, sides, and handle! I will update the amount of yarns used when I finish each part.

The discount will apply at checkout. I’ll also be releasing new patterns that will be perfect for quick Christmas gifts or to make for yourself and your family–keep your eye out for them, they’ll be here in a few days! There will be an exciting, fun new Pokemon Inspired pattern later this week, and The Crunchy Carrot Market Bag is will be in the Pattern Store this weekend.Slippers, socks, a scarf, a washcloth/soap sack spa set, toys…lots of new designs coming in September, as well as a MYSTERY CROCHET-ALONG and KNIT-ALONG!

If you need more inspiration meantime, you can check out the Interweave Store!

Save 30% on hundreds of crafting resources. No coupon needed. Sale runs now through 9/5. Some exclusions apply. In addition, be sure to also check out the just released Atoll Cowl Kit. It is on sale, too, and the link is on the right, just below the “Interweave Store” tab.

Happy Labour Day…enjoy this weekend, and let me know if you need help with any of my designs. The quickest way to get help is usually to write a personal message on my Facebook Page: West Coast Fibre Arts

This popular hat is sure to win the prize for the funniest fish ever. If you don’t crochet… get your friend, grandma, or aunt to make you one! Use Red Heart SuperSaver and you can make 2 or 3 hats for just $20! When you buy hats for $50 to $80 plus, it is because it takes several hours to make it 🙂 If you do want to make your own and need any help, it is quickest to contact me on Facebook–the link is on the right of the webpage. Be sure to ‘Like’ the Facebook page so you are notified when patterns and hats are available. Watch in coming days for a new, fun Magikarp Inspired design!

Maple Leaf Forever Lucky Penny Holder

Celebrate Canada’s 149th Birthday by making a Maple Leaf that will hold a lucky penny! You can attach a necklace chain to the top of the centre to use it as a pendant, or just keep it in your wallet or bag for good luck! NOTE THAT THESE ARE NOT MEANT TO GIVE TO YOUNG CHILDREN, AS COINS ARE A CHOKING HAZARD.Though the coin will stay inside the holder in ordinary use, the yarn can stretch and the coin come out.

Spend a few minutes celebrating Canada’s birthday evening making this cute little penny holder. If you don’t have embroidery thread, try sock yarn or even size 10 crochet cotton. IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE a Maple Leaf Forever Lucky Penny Holder for $2, I will be placing them for sale on my Facebook Page for local pickup only until we know if there is going to be a Canada Post strike. When I’m able to mail them, they will be $3 including postage by regular snail mail.